Accutane Lawsuits
Accutane (also known as isotretinoin) is a medication that has been used in the past to treat acne. Manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals, the drug has been linked to possible adverse side effects including depression, suicide, colon cancer, and inflammatory bowel disorder. Hoffman-La Roche stopped selling the drug in June 2009, citing competition from generic medication and loss of income due to lawsuits against the company.
Thirty-eight-year-old Andrew McCarrell of Ala. sued Hoffmann-La Roche and was originally awarded $2.6 million in May 2007. McCarrell began taking Accutane at age 23. He developed chronic ulcerative colitis and suffered from inflammatory bowel disorder (IBF), which eventually led to him having his colon removed. The original judgment was overruled on an appeal, but a judge just recently awarded him $25.16 million for compensatory damages in a retrial.
McCarrell is just one of many that have won judgments against Hoffmann-Roche. The lawsuits have claimed side effects such as chronic bowel disease and bowel maladies for which some plaintiff’s have had to have their colons and intestines removed. Some plaintiffs continued to suffer problems even after they quit taking Accutane.
Hoffmann-Roche first notified physicians of a possible link between Accutane and IBF in 1984. Continued research showed a link, but some are saying Hoffmann-Roche failed to notify physicians and patients of the severity.
Roche has said it plans to appeal the judgment for McCarrell.